Name: Lapid threatens Knesset boycott over Modi address
Uploaded: 2026-02-23T14:36:19.275Z
Duration: 1 min 16 s
Description: Yair Lapid has threatened to boycott an address by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Knesset unless the High Court president is present, escalating tensions between Israel’s opposition and government.

Yair Lapid has threatened to boycott an address by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Knesset unless the High Court president is present, escalating tensions between Israel’s opposition and government.

Jerusalem

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has warned that opposition members may boycott Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the Knesset if the Supreme Court president is not invited. The controversy centers on the refusal of some government officials, including the Knesset Speaker and Justice Minister, to recognize the current Supreme Court president, Amit.

Lapid argues that excluding the Supreme Court president would embarrass Israel by leaving the Knesset hall half-empty during Modi's speech. This dispute reflects broader tensions between Israel's legislative and judicial branches.

Lapid threatens Knesset boycott over Modi address

Now, let's also talk about, you know, opposition leader Lapid trying to—you know, threatening to boycott over India's prime minister speaking at the Knesset, all over, you know, if the high court judge is not present. Why is this such a big deal? Well, first of all, again, Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, coming to speak before the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday. Of course, Emily, I don't have to tell you, one of the world's most important countries, a very pro-Israel leader and someone who is a very, very important personage. And in the normal course, all 120 Knesset members or just about would be in that hall there to welcome him as a celebratory measure. What's the problem here? The problem here is Lapid is saying that the speaker of the Knesset, Amir Hohana, might not invite the Supreme Court president. Why not? Because many in the government, including Justice Minister Amir Hohana, and also, for that matter, Knesset Speaker—Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and for that matter, Knesset Speaker Amir Hohana, don't recognize Amit as Supreme Court president. Levin was essentially forced by the Supreme Court to appoint him. He doesn't like that. Again, it's part of the struggle over the legal system here in Israel. And what Lapid is saying is, if you don't invite the Supreme Court president, we are all going to have to boycott. Modi will have to speak before a half-empty hall. It will be an embarrassment for Israel, Lapid essentially putting down the gauntlet. Wow. Interesting. Well, we'll have to see what comes of that.

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